CSB
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
NIV
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
ESV
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Memorization Strategies
Try one or two of these strategies to make memorizing easier, especially for dyslexia and learning differences.
Jesus came to serve and to give his life for many.
- For even the Son of Man: point upward, then to yourself, remembering Jesus became truly human.
- did not come to be served: hold your hands out like you are waiting to receive something, then gently turn them over and lower them.
- but to serve: mime handing something to someone or gently wiping a table.
- and to give his life: place one hand over your heart, then stretch it outward like you are offering your whole self.
- as a ransom for many: spread your arms wide to show โmany people,โ then move your hands as if breaking chains apart.
Draw Jesus kneeling or bending to serve someone (for example, washing feet or helping a person up), with a simple cross in the background. Around the picture, write โThe Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.โ
Head Summary
Jesus explains what his mission and kind of greatness look like. As the Son of Man, he had every right to be served, but he did not come for that. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. A ransom is the price paid to set someone free. Jesusโ death is the costly gift that rescues his people from sin and slavery. His path is downward service, not self-promotion.
Heart Prompt
When you imagine โa great person,โ do you usually picture someone being served or someone serving? How does it affect your view of God to hear that Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve you and give his life for you? Where do you feel the pull to be noticed, praised, or waited on, instead of quietly serving like Jesus?
Hands Practice
As a family, choose one ordinary place where you are tempted to expect to be served (at home, at church, at school, in a restaurant). This week, decide together to look for one hidden way to serve there instead: taking the less fun job, cleaning up what you did not mess up, going last, or letting someone else go first. When you do it, quietly remember and say, โThe Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.โ
Family Question
If we really believed that true greatness looks like Jesus serving and giving himself, what might change in the way our family treats each other?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that You did not come to be served, but to serve and to give Your life as a ransom for many. Thank You for paying the price to set us free. Teach our family to follow Your pattern of humble service instead of chasing our own glory. Show us where we can serve and give ourselves in love this week. Amen.